Beyond Liberty is the culmination of Thomas Hampson’s years long commitment to the question “Who is the American Schubert? Who is the American Brahms?”—Who are the composers who saw American culture and captured it in song and verse? Beyond Liberty tells our collective story through the eyes of poets and the ears of composers.

The program will straddle centuries, feature works by composers new and known, highlight the poetry and events that shaped our history. Thomas has commissioned a new work by librettist Royce Vavrek features production design by S. Katy Tucker, and the performance is directed by Francesca Zambello. Thomas will be accompanied by the Beyond Liberty Players, a diverse ensemble of exception musicians playing newly commissioned arrangements of American music.

Song of America: Beyond Liberty will tour to all 50 United States, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico to bring together a sense of what it means to be American.

Tour events will feature a staged with appearances from distinguished guest artists of the „Next Gen“, taking audiences on an engaging journey through the history of American culture. The Hampsong Foundation will partner with educational outlets in each region, to bring American song and poetry into the classroom. The Song of America: Beyond Liberty tour will launch a meaningful and ongoing dialogue between audiences and their communities who are itching to see the current moment of introspection represented on stage.